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Ottawa paramedics are mourning one of their own after Supt. Thomas Dunn died suddenly at home.

"Any paramedic who was fortunate enough to work a shift with Thomas Dunn during his lengthy and distinguished career would learn that he was a very passionate and caring individual," wrote paramedic John Blythe in an e-mail on behalf of the Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa.

The 70-year-old still worked for the service and "continued to serve one of the longest paramedic careers in Canada."

His long career means that many more people will feel his absence, said advance-care paramedic Darryl Wilton.

"Paramedics are truly a large family and this sudden loss is affecting hundreds of Tom's colleagues," Wilton said, adding Dunn was someone whose respect for his colleagues could be felt whenever you were around him.

"With so many generational differences amongst our 400 paramedics, Tom was a brother to some, a father to others and at times even a very caring grandfather to some of our newest recruits."

Dunn served as a military medic in Vietnam after entering the U.S. Naval Corpsman program. He went on to serve with several paramedic services in the U.S., eventually becoming a critical-care paramedic and responding to emergencies by helicopter in Colorado.

He went on to serve as a medic in the Middle East and, through his expertise, helped Saudi Arabia set up its first paramedic service while also becoming fluent in Arabic.

In 1992, Dunn joined the St. Lawrence and District Ambulance Service in Eastern Ontario. He joined the Ottawa Paramedic Service following amalgamation in 2001 and worked his way up to the position of superintendent.

In September, he was awarded the Governor General's EMS Exemplary Service Medal.

"(Dunn) often made an adoring impression on others and his charming character is something that will definitely remain in the thoughts of many," wrote Blythe.

Blythe said Dunn was always interested in the people he worked with.

The association's HELP Fund will be providing Dunn's family with support and assistance in the coming days, Blythe said.

Dunn is believed to have died of natural causes after returning home from work Friday. He's survived by his wife Myra and "hundreds of extended family members at Ottawa Paramedic Service."

Long-serving Ottawa paramedic was like father to co-workers

Ottawa paramedics are mourning one of their own after Supt. Thomas Dunn died suddenly at home.

"Any paramedic who was fortunate enough to work a shift with Thomas Dunn during his lengthy and distinguished career would learn that he was a very passionate and caring individual," wrote paramedic John Blythe in an e-mail on behalf of the Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa.

The 70-year-old still worked for the service and "continued to serve one of the longest paramedic careers in Canada."